Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-04-13

show places. There are many such
many managed by practical farmers;
some by city men. To many success
full business men, in the smaller cities,
the ownership and Improvement of a
farm may be one of the most enjoy
able OF recreations; residence on it one
OF the best preservatives of health;
and the example helpful to many sur
rounding farmers. ctical Farmer.
Sheep at Large.
The fact that sheep are quiet, inof-
fensive animals, seldom getting into
mischief, is not adequate excuse for
allowing them to run at large. While
not 80 destructive as most other farm
animals when given free range, they
are often excessively annoying to the
owner who allows them to run riot
over his premises, and to his neigh
bors as well. In fact, they are capa-
BILE of doing considerable damage,
when once they take q bent in that
direction.
When sheep get into the way OF
jumping and climbing fences, they will
go most anywhere. Given q lawless,
enterprising leader, it takes good
fence to stop them.
In many neighborhoods where sheep
would not be allowed to run at large
in the summer, they have perfect free
dom in winter. They can make them
selves extremely disagreeable at such
times. They are ready to give chase
to every load of hay that passes by,
expose themselves to horses hoofs,
and to strange dogs.
II gates are left open land farm
gates are usually left open during the
time of deep snow in winter) the
neighboring pests are sure to file in
at all hours Of the day, and overrun
the yards and grounds. No one likes
to have them hanging around the
doors and sheds, and certainly they
are not wanted in the fruit garden
and orchard, or among small lawn
shrubs.
Sheep have a great liking for gnaw-
ing small shrubs In winter. A flock of
them In a small fruit garden can work
an lncelculable amount or damage.
They will paw away the snow about
the roots of tender shrubs, and often
eat and dig away the strong mulching
placed about them.
1t is the boast Of some farmers that
they feed their sheep but little hay in
the winter, and it is not an idle boast.
This is the way to cultivate the forag-
ing propensity IN sheep. 1t is this
lack of regular care and feeding
that causes them to make nuts ance
Of themselves-to become scavengers
in fact.
1t is almost common practice to al
low sheep TO range over the fields dur
ing the winter months, not so much,
perhaps, to economic in feed, as to
give the sheep exercise and liberty.
This is certainly questionable prac-
tice. 1t is the natural inclination of
sheep to do this, if allowed, but that
is no argument in it's favor. When
man domesticates an animal ne ex-
poets to improve upon it's natural
capacity and conditions. He is given
superior intelligence for the accom-
plishment of this purpose. He finds
that his sheep will thrive better and
multiply faster when carefully fed and
guarded against storms and vicious
animals.
Roomy, well protected yards offer
abundant scope for exercise and free
dom. Sheep will have O. better appe-
tite for their winter rations if not
allowed to be constantly nibbling at
the grass under the snow.
Farm Notes.
Whenever the wheat fields and pas
lures are thrown up by the frost it is
best to run roller over the crop.
Scatter some of the finest, richest
and best manure you have on the
piece of ground intended for your on
ions.
Should spring open early, and the
grass start, do not be tempted to as
low the stock to Craze on it until it is
well under growth. Trampling on
Young grass does more damage than
grazing it closely.
Corn is often ruined for seed in the
shock, or in the barn after it is got in
and before husking, if the latter be
DELAYED even g. week. The dampness
favors the growth of minute moulds
and fungi that kill the germ. Such
corn, though apparently sound, has a
dull look.
A writer in the Country Gentleman
saws he has found clover to grow as
luxuriantIy after potatoes as any
other crop. Heremarks: "Years ago
I remember planting part Of g. field
with corn and the rest with potatoes,
hut no difference was ever noticed in
the growth of the clover following.
We SOW wheat on twelve acres each
fall where early potatoes have been
grown, and then SOW timothy seed
and clover in the spring."
Many farmers place great stress on
the power of clover to restore the fer
tility of the soil. Ii does this by tax
ing carbon from the atmosphere and
eau sing elements in the soil to assume
organic shape. It ia aided in this proc